ORICA-AIS’ Emma Johansson took her third victory of the season in Cittiglio on Sunday, outfoxing a breakaway of eight riders to win Trofeo Alfredo Binda World Cup. Although Johansson had previously finished on the podium four times from seven starts in the Italian one day race, her eighth start was the first time she claimed the top step. Johansson sung the praises of her teammates, crediting their commitment to the team plan for her accomplishment.

“We did it!” she exclaimed moments after she crossed the finish line. “Today was amazing. We had a good plan, and we stuck to the plan the whole way. The team was awesome. All the credit to them. We were all so focused and committed to our part of the plan, and it paid off in the end.”
 

“I joked the other day that I didn’t have any good memories here because I hadn’t yet won this race,” Johansson added. “I think we can say we made the best memory now. I’m really happy.”

The second race of the World Cup series begun in idyllic Laveno on the eastern shores of Lago Maggiore. High speeds in the early kilometres left few opportunities for attackers to break away from the bunch. The peloton hit the first climb in Curnardo as one big bunch save for a handful of riders who were unable to maintain the fast pace set at the front of the field.

“The plan today was fairly straightforward,” said Jessie MacLean. “Valentina [Scandolora] and I were to attack from the gun and hopefully get up the road. If a group wasn’t able to get away early, Carlee [Taylor] and Shara [Gillow] were meant to attack on the circuits. Spratty [Amanda Spratt] and Emma would take over at the end.”
 

“That’s exactly what we did,” MacLean added. “Valentina and I attacked early. It was too quick for anything to get away, but we had a few digs that put other teams under pressure. I think the way we took control of the race also showed our intentions. It said that we had a clear plan and were confident enough to take charge to put the plan into action.”

Armitstead keeps the lead in the overall classification

Armitstead had a teammate in Ellen van Dijk, as did Anna van der Breggen with Ferrand-Prevot. Last year’s winner Elisa Longo Borghini, Olga Zabelinskaya, Amialiusik and Johansson were also in the decisive breakaway.

In a close uphill sprint it was Johansson who beat Armitstead to the line. Only millimetres seperated the two riders. A photo finish decided that the champagne went to Johansson who after a third, and three second places finally jumped onto the top step of the podium in Italy.

“Riders know if they won or not. I hoped I did because it was so close today,” Armitstead commented on her second place to uci.ch. “Next week me and Emma will meet again in the Tour of Flanders with other strong riders like Amy Pieters and Ferrand-Prevot for example. Now it’s time for a rest and then prepare for next Sunday.”

Armitstead keeps the lead in the overall classification of the UCI Women Road World Cup. By finishing first on the only rated climb of the day in Cunardo Amialiusik took the climber’s jersey off Pieters’ shoulders.

With Anna Stricker (Astana-BePink) and Specialized-Lululemon’s Carmen Small taking the points in the two intermediate sprints, Iris Slappendel’s sprint jersey was not under threat. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot took the best young rider’s jersey from her Rabo-Liv teammate Talitha de Jong.